ms4 overview / ms4 regionalization in lycoming...
TRANSCRIPT
Megan Lehman, AICP, Lead Planner
MS4 Overview /
MS4 Regionalization in Lycoming County
Presentation Outline
• Stormwater in PA
• MS4 Program Overview
• MCMs and other Permit Requirements
• Lycoming County MS4 Coalition
• Where We’re Headed
• Takeaways
• Questions
Stormwater in PA
• Stormwater runoff –
one of the major sources
of non-point source
pollution in PA
• Runoff from
impervious surfaces –
3rd leading cause of
impairment to PA’s
streams
Development = Runoff
Built Environment: Grey vs. Green
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer
Systems (MS4) Permit Program
• EPA PA DEP local
permittees (munis + others)
• Phase I Permits: 1990s
Large MS4s (Cities over
100,000)
• Phase II Permits: 2000s
Small MS4s (Urbanized Areas)
• Renewed EPA attention: 2010s
• Heightened importance with
Chesapeake Bay TMDL
MS4 Permit Program
• Polluted stormwater runoff is
transported by MS4 and
discharged (untreated) into local
waterbodies
• Goals of MS4 permit program:
– Reduce Nitrogen, phosphorus, and
sediments
– Slow down runoff velocity
– Address localized impairments
• Velocity = Stream erosion
• Close to 1,000 MS4s in PA
MS4 Permit Requirements
• 6 Minimum Control
Measures (MCMs)
• Sub-plans for MCMs
• Chesapeake Bay
Pollutant Reduction
Plan (CBPRP)
• Annual Reports
• DEP Inspections
• Documentation!
1. Public Education and Outreach Program
2. Public Involvement and Participation Program
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program
4. Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
5. Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New and Re-Development
6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
6 Minimum Control Measures (MCMs)
MCM #1: Public Education
• Key idea is to educate the public
13
Storm Drain
Marker Project
• Over 600 markers installed in
urbanized areas of the County
• Public education and awareness
• Calls have been received
• Strong support of local officials
• Paired with brochure: “Only Rain
Down the Storm Drain”
Display Boards
EnviroScape
• Watershed Educational
learning tool
• Donated to the County
MCM #2: Public Involvement
• Key idea is to involve the public in MS4 activities
MCM #3: Illicit Discharge Detection
and Elimination (IDD&E)
• Key idea is to locate and stop non-stormwater discharges
• Map your MS4 system (includes ditches, swales, BMPs)
MCM #4: Construction Site Runoff
Control
• Key idea is to apply erosion/sedimentation controls during construction
• Generally handled by County Conservation District
MCM #5: Post-Construction
Stormwater Management
• Key idea is to apply post-construction stormwater management controls (BMPs)
• BMP criteria and standards; inspection program
• Future of TMDL compliance lies in MCM #5
BMPs Everywhere
At-Home Practices: • Disconnect downspouts
• Rain barrels
• Rain gardens
Municipalities/Developers: • Street trees
• Pervious pavement
• Infiltration practices (rain gardens,
bioswales, etc.)
• Retrofit older stormwater
facilities
• Underground storage
• Green roofs
Understanding BMP Function: Two Key Concepts Concepts
Smaller-Scale Examples
22
Larger-Scale Examples
Retrofit Existing Practices
Doubling Down on MCMs
BMP Demonstration Projects
MCM #6: Good Housekeeping
• Key idea: minimize stormwater pollution from municipal operations
Chesapeake Bay Pollutant
Reduction Plan (CBPRP)
• New requirement
created for current MS4
permit cycle
– Required PE seal
– Reduce Pollutants
• Nitrogen, phosphorus,
sediment
– BMPs identified
• Big changes for next
permit cycle
MS4 Challenge:
New Way of Thinking for Municipalities
• Collect and convey vs.
retain and infiltrate
• Cost investment – Retrofits vs. new construction
• Perception that “it doesn’t work”
• Maintenance concerns
• Difficulty with documenting/inspecting/maintaining
privately owned facilities
• Overcoming status quo is difficult
Missed Opportunities
Missed
Opportunities
Missed Opportunities
Missed Opportunities
Where is Lycoming County?
MS4 Permittees in Lycoming County
First Generation MS4 Permit
• 2003-2013: First permit cycle for
Lycoming County MS4s (5 year cycle + extensions)
–7 permittees and Lycoming County began
working together
cooperatively to apply
for MS4 permits
–Others obtained
waivers
First Generation MS4 Permit
–Group met approximately 1-3 times/year
–County Environmental Planners offered
free organization and support through
multiple staff changes
–Undertook some joint activities,
coordinated with DEP, and worked on
annual reports
– “Good faith effort” enforcement by DEP
Second Generation MS4 Permit
• 2013-now: Second permit cycle for
Lycoming County MS4s
–Permits issued in 2013/2014
–New requirements and accountability
measures from DEP / EPA
–MS4 compliance
no longer
a “part-time
job”
Second Generation MS4 Permit
– 8 MS4s on Joint IP
– 2 PAG-13s
• Staggered permit timelines = potential barrier to future collaboration
–MS4 Planner housed at County Planning
–MS4 Coalition meets monthly
• Sets priorities and provides direction
– Formal partnership agreement established in 2014 via MOA
• Renewed 2015—unanimously*
Where We’re Headed
Next permit cycle:
• New MS4s
• Working to align timelines
• CBPRP due with permit
application
• 10% sediment reduction
through BMP
implementation
• More aggressive inspections
Open questions:
• Nutrient trading
• Costs and financing options
Takeaways
1. Build partnerships
MS4s, County Government, Conservation Districts, PSU Master Gardeners, non-profits, colleges/schools, others
2. Variety of organizational structures can work
3. Need a “spark plug” to pull it all together
4. Talk to DEP early and often (regional and central)
5. Share costs, share burdens
6. Double up on MS4 activities
7. Prepare your elected officials
8. Start reserving space for BMPs
9. Look at retrofits, flood buyouts, municipal property
10. Early adoption of BMPs has pros and cons
Megan Lehman, AICP
Lead Planner
570-320-2115
Contact Information
Visit our website for
news, fact sheets, and
more: www.lyco.org/MS4
Kaelyn Koser MS4 Planner
570-320-8117